Parisians, friendly? Mais oui!  And to prove it, they'll show you around their hometown for free. A grassroots group of some 120 volunteers called Paris Greeters are giving tourists—even families avec des enfants!—fun, informal walking tours of the City of Light. You can read more about this service on USA Today.

I was fortunate enough to have lived in Paris for seven years, and I think getting to know this spectacular city with a local is a fantastic idea. The group's tagline says it all: Parisien d'un jour, Parisien toujours (Parisian for a day, Parisian always).

Note: You need to sign up for your tour online at least two weeks in advance. Greeters will not accept any tips, but will expect you to pay for their transportation fares, which seems only right.